Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Plant Health was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on 30 pest risk assessments made by France on organisms which are considered by France as harmful in four French overseas departments, i.e. French Guiana, 

Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. In particular, the Panel was asked whether these organisms can be considered as harmful organisms for the endangered area of the above departments, in the meaning of the definition mentioned in Article 2.1.(e) of Directive 2000/29/EC and thus potentially eligible for addition to the list of harmful organisms in Directive 2000/29/EC. 

This document presents the opinion of the Panel on Plant Health on the full

pest risk assessment conducted by France on Metcalfa pruinosa (Say) with French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion considered an endangered area. 

M. pruinosa (Insecta: Hemiptera: Flatidae), the citrus flatid planthopper or frosted moth-bug, is found on citrus, but also feeds on a wide variety of plant species, including ornamental and tree species traded commercially as hardy ornamental nursery stock. Dense populations of nymphs produce wax and may cause stunting of the shoots, while high densities of adults produce large quantities of honeydew on which sooty mould develops. The organism may reduce the vigour of whole plants, but damage to fruit and flowers on ornamentals or citrus are the main concern, because these can become unmarketable due to cosmetic damage from mould and markings. M. pruinosa occurs in Mediterranean areas of Europe, Central and North America.

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The Panel, based on the information provided in the document and on additional literature consulted, concludes that M. pruinosa is not appropriate for evaluation of pest risk management options for French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion and thus is not potentially eligible for addition to the list of harmful organisms in Directive 2000/29/EC.